I’ve Never Told This Story: Leaky Bladder, Pelvic Floor, UTIs, & Constipation (#1 Urologist Gives Solutions)

Today, you are going to learn about something that impacts 40% of women and 30% of men. This topic can be embarrassing and difficult to talk about, but Mel is putting an end to the shame.

Mel is opening up for the first time about her decades long struggle with leaky bladder and pelvic floor issues, sharing how they kept her from fully living, and what she did to finally stop suffering.

She has invited Dr. Rena Malik, MD, one of the top urologists in the world, to have this important conversation with her, and to give you the specific solutions you need if you struggle with leaky bladder, pelvic floor issues, UTIs, and constipation.

Dr. Rena is an absolute powerhouse who is known for her viral, no-shame, straight-to-the-point advice. She’s a top urologist and pelvic surgeon who specializes in female pelvic medicine, reconstructive surgery, and sexual medicine. Her YouTube videos have over 300 million views and she’s published over 100 peer-reviewed research articles, multiple review articles, and book chapters.

And today, you’ve got an appointment with her. Join Dr. Rena and Mel for a very personal, open, and solution-filled conversation so you can take control and stop suffering.

This episode is so packed with actionable advice that you’ll want to share it with every person in your life who needs this information too.

If you liked this episode, you’ll love listening to Dr. Rena’s first appearance on The Mel Robbins Podcast: The Most Important Sex Advice No One Ever Told You: Revamp Your Sex Life in 10 Minutes‍

For another personal take on a health topic that isn’t discussed enough, check out: The #1 Menopause Doctor: How to Lose Belly Fat, Sleep Better, & Stop Suffering Now

Connect with Mel:

• Watch the episodes on YouTube
• Go deeper with Mel’s free video course, Make It Happen‍
• Follow Mel on Instagram ‍
• The Mel Robbins Podcast Instagram‍
• Mel's TikTok ‍
• Sign up for Mel’s personal letter ‍
• Disclaimer

In this episode:

• 6:10: What’s the difference between “common” and “normal” bladder issues?
• 7:00: What happened to Mel when she delivered her first child led to shame and embarrassment.
• 11:10: 8 common signs you’re dealing with a pelvic floor issue.
• 14:30: Why is there so much shame around a leaky bladder?
• 16:00: Your pelvic floor, explained.
• 21:00: This is why your pelvic floor muscles stop working.
• 22:35: How does childbirth impact the pelvic floor?
• 24:15: You’ve been doing kegels the wrong way.
• 25:25: How to test your pelvic floor muscles on your own.
• 27:10: Why do young women have leaky bladders?
• 28:15: Are you an athlete? You’re more susceptible to pelvic floor issues.
• 29:15: Wait on those kegels! If you have this, kegels will make it worse.
• 30:00: 3 yoga poses that will help you relax your pelvic floor.
• 30:30: Pain while you pee but there’s no UTI? This might be the cause.
• 35:15: What you can do if leakage is an issue.
• 37:20: This is what Mel did when the embarrassment was too much.
• 38:00: Signs that you have an overactive bladder.
• 40:45: How does alcohol and coffee impact your bladder health?
• 41:25: Do this when constipation is a problem.
• 42:20: Symptoms of urinary tract infections and what to do about it.
• 43:35: Do this every day and decrease your risk of UTI by 40%!
• 45:10: Here’s why it’s a red flag if a man gets a UTI.
• 45:25: Why UTIs are common if you’re sexually active.
• 48:35: Is it better for men to sit when they pee?
• 50:00: Why do men have a harder time peeing when they get older?
• 52:20: 4 things you can manage on your own to help with overactive bladder.
• 53:45: Can acupuncture help?
• 54:45: Look for this before you flush the toilet.
• 56:20: The #1 thing to do when you’re having trouble below the belly button.‍

Dr. Rena Malik:

• Visit her website here.
• Subscribe to her YouTube channel here.
• Check out her podcast here.
• Follow her on Instagram.
• And watch her on TikTok.
• Get her free e-book on overactive bladders here.

Additional Resources:

• Healthcare (Basel): Sexual health & psychological wellbeing of women.
• Harvard Health: Pelvic floor exercises: Help for incontinence, sexual health, and more
• Harvard Health: Not just for women, kegel exercises good for men too
• New York Times: Urinary incontinence: how to manage it when you leave home  
• Yale Medicine: Neurogenic bladder and incontinence
• Yale School of Medicine: The brain-bladder connection
• Forbes: Got constipation? Here is a move that you may want to try
• Harvard Health: 8 ways to get constipation relief
• National Institute of Child Health & Human Development: What causes UTI’s & UI  
• Stanford Health Care: Urinary tract infection treatment
• Johns Hopkins Medicine: Solutions for a leaky bladder
• National Institutes of Health: Prevention of bladder control
• New York Times: The life-changing magic of a urologist
• New York Times: The persistent confusion around the U.T.I